§ MR. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been called to a statement by Colonel Onslow, reported in The Times of June 7, to the effect that "The Infantry soldier did not have enough meals;" whether his attention had been called to a statement by Lord Wolseley, reported in the same issue, as follows:—
That our men did not get enough to eat went without showing, because there was not a regiment in which the men did not, in a large measure, supplement the rations given them. It would be, he was sure, a wise thing if the rations of the soldiers were increased;whether, in view of these statements, he will make such arrangements as may be necessary for the fulfilment of the promise made to the men on enlistment that they should have "free rations;" and, whether the Commission, now sitting on the Army, could be instructed to take evidence as to the general welfare of the rank and file of the Army?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)As I stated a few days ago, I have decided to appoint a strong Committee to consider fully the subject of soldiers' rations; but I do not think that it would be a proper subject to refer to the Royal Commission which is now sitting.